HP-16C

HP-16C

HP-16C
Type Programmable, Computer science
Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
Introduced 1982
Discontinued 1989
Cost 150 USD (1982) - 120 USD (1989)[1]
Calculator
Entry mode RPN
Display type LCD seven-segment display
Display size 10 digits
CPU
Processor HP Nut
Programming
Programming language(s) Keystroke programming (fully merged)
Memory register 203 bytes (shared with programs)[2]
Program steps up to 203 steps (shared with data registers)
Other
Power supply 3x LR44 1.5 V button cells
Power consumption 0.25 mW
Weight 113 g
Dimensions 128 × 79 × 15 mm

The HP-16C is a programmable pocket calculator that was produced by Hewlett-Packard between 1982 and 1989. It was specifically designed for use by computer programmers, to assist in debugging. It is a member of the HP Voyager series of programmable calculators. It was the only programmer's calculator ever produced by HP, though many later HP calculators have incorporated most of the 16C's functions.

Features

The 16C can display numbers in hexadecimal, decimal, octal and binary, and convert numbers from one number base to another. To accommodate long binary numbers, the display can be 'windowed' by shifting it left and right. For consistency with the computer the programmer is working with, the word size can be set to different values from 1 to 64 bits. Binary-arithmetic operations can be performed as unsigned, one's complement, or two's complement operations. This allows the calculator to emulate the programmer's computer. A number of specialized functions are provided to assist the programmer, including left- and right-shifting, masking, and bitwise logical operations.

Apart from programmer functions, the calculator's abilities are limited to basic arithmetic (and reciprocal and square root),[3] which meant that typical users would also make use of a general scientific calculator. However, it is still far more powerful (though also much more expensive) than contemporary competitors such as the TI LCD Programmer.[4]

The base of the 16C features a printed reference chart for many of its functions.[5]

The calculator uses the proprietary HP Nut processor produced in a silicon on sapphire process and featured continuous memory, whereby the contents of memory are preserved while the calculator is turned off.[6] Though commonplace now, this was still notable in the early 1980s, and is the origin of the "C" in the model name.

Programming

Appropriately for a programmer's calculator, the 16C, like all other members of the Voyager series, is itself programmable. Keystroke programming is used. Up to 203 program steps are available, and up to 16 program/step labels. Each step and label uses one byte, which consumes register space in 7 byte increments. Here is a sample program that computes the factorial of an integer number from 2 to 69. The program takes up 9 bytes. The codes displayed while entering the program generally correspond to the keypad row/column coordinates of the keys pressed.

Step Keystrokes
(shift keys not shown)		 Displayed code Comment
001 LBL F 43,22, F Define label F (mnemonic for "factorial")
002 x<>I 42 22 Store x in register I
003 1 1 Store 1 in x
004 LBL 0 43,22, 0 Define label 0
005 RCL I 45 32 Recall register I into x
006 × 20 Multiply x and y
007 DSZ 43 23 Decrement register I and if not zero ...
008 GTO 0 22 0 ... go back to label 0
009 RTN 43 21 Stop program - result displayed in x

To run the program, enter the argument onto the stack, then press the keystrokes GSB F. The result is displayed when the program terminates.

Legacy

HP has never (as of 2015) made another calculator specifically for programmers,[2] but has incorporated most if not all of the HP-16C's functions in later scientific and graphing calculators, for example the HP-42S (1988) and its successors.

Like many other vintage HP calculators, the HP-16C is now highly sought-after by collectors,[7] and several emulators are available for desktop computers, web browsers, smartphones and other calculators.[8][9][10][11][12]

In 2012, SwissMicros (aka RPN-Calc) introduced a miniature clone named DM-16CC approximating the size of an ID-1 credit card (88 mm × 59 mm × 7 mm). It closely emulates the functionality of the original HP-16C by running the original ROM image in an emulator on an ARM Cortex-M0-based NXP LPC1114 processor. Newer DM-16 models feature a better keyboard and more RAM (LPC1115). A DM-16 Silver Edition in a titanium case is available as well in three color variants (metal, brown, blue).[13] Deviating from the original, these calculators feature a dot-matrix display, switchable fonts and clock speeds, and they come with an USB serial interface to exchange data with a PC etc. for backup purposes (and possibly to communicate with applications like PC-based HP-16C emulators) or to update the firmware. In December 2015, SwissMicros introduced the DM-16L, a version of the calculator about the same size as the original HP-16C.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Tony Thimet. "Hewlett Packard HP-16C". Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  2. 1 2 "HP-16C". Museum of HP Calculators. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  3. ↑ Viktor Toth. "Hewlett-Packard HP-16C". Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  4. ↑ Tony Thimet. "Texas Instruments LCD Programmer". Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  5. ↑ "Hewlett-Packard 16C aka Voyager PR". MyCalcDB. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  6. ↑ "HP-16C Owner's Handbook" (PDF). Hewlett-Packard. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  7. ↑ Valentín Albillo. "Long Live the HP-16C!" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  8. ↑ Emmet Gray (2012-02-05). "WRPN Calculator". Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  9. ↑ "Java HP16C Emulator". 2005-08-15. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  10. ↑ Elvis Pfützenreuter. "Web HP-16C emulator". Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  11. ↑ "hpcalc-iphone". Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  12. ↑ Schwartz, Jake; Grevelle, Rick (2003-10-20) [1993]. HP16C Emulator Library for the HP48S/SX. 1.20 (1 ed.). Retrieved 2015-08-15.
  13. ↑ "SwissMicros.com". Retrieved 2013-06-29.
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